An Investigation Into the Sodium-metal Battery As an Alternative For Globally High Demand Lithium-ion Batteries
by Mayuko Yamamoto
Category: STEM
Abstract – Sodium-ion batteries have attracted attention by researchers as a more suitable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. However, due to its larger ionic radius compared to lithium-ions, a suitable anode that does not hinder the intercalation process is yet to be found. In this work, I demonstrate that issue of large ionic radius of sodium can be avoided with sodium-metal battery. Sodium metal battery involves sodium metal and copper wire, which create electric field. The experimental observations show that the electric field can be easily strengthened by increasing the concentration of sodium chloride solution in which two metals are put (indirectly for sodium metal as it reacts with water). The maximum p.d. obtained by the sodium-metal battery is comparable to that produced by current lithium-ion battery, further supporting the possible suitability of sodium-metal battery as an alternative for lithium-ion battery. This allows to overcome the current global and local concern of lithium-scarcity, encouraging to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies and help develop technologies.